Etihad Airways is proud to announce the renewal of its sponsorship with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship for the next five years, 2016 to 2020.

The
airline and Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC) have signed an agreement to extend Etihad
Airways’ long-standing partnership with the annual European Tour event, which
will take place from 21 to 24 January at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Etihad
Airways’ investment further supports Abu Dhabi’s vision to position itself as a
premier international golf tourism destination.

The
announcement was made by Peter Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial
Officer, and His Excellency Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary, at a meeting
held at the airlines headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad
Airways, the official airline and gold partner of the golfing event since its
inauguration in 2006, named the Abu Dhabi tournament’s most successful winner, Martin
Kaymer, as its Etihad Guest Ambassador in 2014.

The
two-time Major winner and three-time Abu Dhabi champion Martin Kaymer, will be
up against one of the championship’s strongest-ever fields with world number
one Jordan Spieth, making his Arabian debut, alongside four-time Major winner
Rory McIlroy, American hotshot Rickie Fowler and Swede Henrik Stenson.

Peter
Baumgartner, Etihad Airways’ Chief Commercial Officer, said: “The Abu Dhabi
HSBC Golf Championship is a world-class event attracting some of the games’
greatest competitors to Abu Dhabi. We are very proud to continue our support for
this initiative as it fits perfectly with our strategy to reinforce Abu Dhabi
as a leading hospitality and leisure destination.”

As
part of the four-day event, Etihad Airways has organised a series of community activities
including a golf simulator at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club and a ladies best-dressed
competition with a prize of two tickets on the airline’s Airbus A380 service to
New York.

In
addition, members of Etihad Airways’ loyalty programme – Etihad Guest will get
complimentary access to the event by presenting their membership card upon
arrival.

The
airline also continues its ‘Etihad Most Birdies Prize’, won last year by Phil
Mickelson. The player who cards the most birdies over the four rounds of the
2016 tournament will receive two Etihad Airways First Class return tickets to any
destination on the airline’s network.

His
Excellency Aref Al Awani, ADSC’s General Secretary, said: "Etihad Airways
is the championship’s longest-standing partner and its support over the years
has played a key role in elevating the event, and golf in Abu Dhabi, onto the
global stage. From enticing visitor packages and competitions, to the highly
contested ‘Etihad Most Birdies Prize’, we look forward to working closely with
Etihad Airways and our title sponsor HSBC to continue lifting the championship’s
fan and player offering to new heights.”

The
partnership renewal follows HSBC’s confirmation that it too will continue its
title sponsorship of the championship until 2020, a clear demonstration of the
bank’s commitment to the event and belief in Abu Dhabi as a sporting
destination. New sponsor Mercedes Benz will also drive support for the 2016
event.

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship is owned and presented
by ADSC. Tickets and tailored packages are
available via the event’s official website www.abudhabigolfchampionship.com at AED50 for a daily
pass and AED150 for a four-day pass. Guests staying at any Abu Dhabi hotel over
the championship period can enter for free.